Dennis Itumbi’s heartfelt message to Jacque Maribe

Director of Digital Communication in the Office of the President, Dennis Itumbi, has shared a heartwarming message for Citizen TV’s Jacque Maribe.

The blogger turned Statehouse agent congratulated the golden voiced reporter and TV anchor for being named as Janet Mbugua’s replacement on prime time news show Monday Special.

Praising her career journey, Itumbi said: “You are a statement of possibilities. Your brand may not be understood at times, but one thing is for sure, you have been patient, hardworking and focused. You fight for your space; it is never handed over to you.”

On Monday, seasoned news anchor Janet Mbugua bid her fans farewell. The newlywed anchor told fans that she would be going on maternity leave, and Jacque Maribe would be taking her place on the silver screen.

Wanting to go out with a bang, Janet pranked co-anchor Hussein Mohammed live on TV. The heavily expectant Mbugua feigned labour pains during the tail end of the broadcast, just as Hussein was reading out audience responses.

The prank has since gone viral, with blogs poking fun at Hussein’s horror. Since Monday, the hilarious clip has garnered over 93,000 views on YouTube.

After pulling a fast one on Hussein, Janet also received a surprise of her own during the bulletin. Jacque Maribe walked on set, cake in hand, to bid Janet an emotional farewell. The two shared a warm embrace as a frazzled Hussein struggled to regain his composure.

The bulletin ended with streams of congratulatory messages for both female anchors.

Not wanting to be left behind, Itumbi also congratulated Janet saying: “To my friend Janet Mbugua, God bless you and may you bring seed to the world that sprouts its petals to the rays of the sun and makes Mum and Dad happy.”

Citizen Digital wishes Janet Mbugua and her husband Eddie Ndichu well as they welcome their bundle of joy into the world. We also congratulate Jacque Maribe as she takes this new step in her career.